Hearing the footsteps, Yelu Sage raised an eyebrow with a smile: “My people will arrive soon. There’s no point in continuing this fight.”

Nanxing struck out with a palm toward Yelu Sage, forcing her back two or three steps, and said coldly: “That’s not necessarily so!”

No sooner had Nanxing’s words fallen than a series of agonized screams suddenly rang out from outside.

Yelu Sage’s expression changed, but Nanxing didn’t give her a chance to react. Seizing this opportunity, she curved her fingers into claws and attacked Yelu Sage’s throat. Though Yelu Sage was distracted by the commotion outside and lost half her attention, she managed to dodge the fatal blow by tilting her head in time. However, Nanxing still left three deep scratch marks on the side of her neck.

Nanxing’s claw strike was naturally different from an ordinary woman’s fighting strength. If Yelu Sage hadn’t been lucky enough to avoid the neck artery, she could very well have bled to death. Even though she had avoided the vital spot, her shoulder was quickly stained red by the blood flowing down from her neck.

In just this brief moment, the footsteps and screams outside had all stopped, and there was no sound at all. Yelu Sage retreated several steps, covering the wound on her neck, and a chill rose from the depths of her heart.

Nanxing had no intention of pressing her advantage either. She simply stood there, separating Yelu Sage from Ren Yaoqi and Imperial Concubine Yun, staring at Yelu Sage with emotionless eyes.

Yelu Sage didn’t dare make another move either. The wound on her neck was deep, and recklessly continuing to fight would only accelerate the bleeding. Moreover, with what seemed to have happened outside, even if she could defeat the woman before her, she might not be able to escape the accomplices this woman had lying in ambush outside.

With her excellent hearing, Yelu Sage had already determined that the dozen or so guards who had followed Xiao Jingyue inside were probably in grave danger at this moment. To resolve more than ten robust guards in such a short time meant the enemy’s numbers were not just one or two. Yet she couldn’t detect any unfamiliar presence, which indicated that the opponent’s suddenly appearing reinforcements were more skilled in martial arts than she was.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside, and someone walked in.

Everyone in the room turned to look toward the entrance. Ren Yaoqi’s gaze was also fixed intently on the doorway, and then she saw Xiao Shun walking in.

Ren Yaoqi lowered her eyes to hide the disappointment in them.

Xiao Shun bowed to Ren Yaoqi and Imperial Concubine Yun, then spoke while straightening up: “I advise the Princess not to act rashly. Though I might not be able to defeat you in single combat, do you believe that if your hand rises another half inch, your throat will be pierced?”

Yelu Sage’s hand, which had just been raised, froze, then she smiled bitterly and opened her palm. A diamond-shaped hidden weapon fell to the ground with her movement.

Xiao Shun smiled slightly: “The Princess is so sensible—truly something that makes everyone happy.”

Knowing that resistance at this moment would be unwise, Yelu Sage obediently allowed Nanxing to subdue her.

Only then did Xiao Shun step forward and bow again: “This subordinate arrived late, causing Imperial Concubine and Young Madam to be frightened.”

Even at this point, Ren Yaoqi was able to smile peacefully at Xiao Shun: “You’ve worked hard, Lord Xiao. Your timing was very good.”

Tongxi and Tonghe also hurried in at this moment. Seeing that both Ren Yaoqi and Imperial Concubine Yun were unharmed, they finally breathed a sigh of relief and helped clean up the chaos in the room.

Seeing that both Xiao Jingyue and Yelu Sage had been tied up, Ren Yaoqi asked Xiao Shun: “How is the situation outside?”

Xiao Shun replied with his head lowered slightly: “Xiao Jingyue’s people have surrounded the prince’s residence. Though our people are few, they cannot approach Zhaoning Hall either. Now that Xiao Jingyue is severely injured, those surrounding the residence have lost their backbone and are not to be feared.”

After hearing all this, Ren Yaoqi’s brow didn’t relax. She asked: “Then what do we need to fear now?”

Xiao Shun looked at Ren Yaoqi with surprise. After hesitating, he said: “Xiao Heng still has five hundred troops, and they’re probably currently engaged with Yunyang City’s garrison guards.”

Imperial Concubine Yun gasped.

Ren Yaoqi wasn’t surprised by this news. Since this father-son pair, Xiao Heng and Xiao Jingyue, had rebelled against Yanbei Prince’s residence, they would naturally deploy their forces—one surrounding the residence, one surrounding the city. They were certain that Yanbei Prince’s residence was currently unmanned.

At this moment, there was suddenly commotion outside Zhaoning Hall, as if many people were coming this way.

Nanxing flashed out of the hall and quickly returned, reporting: “Young Madam, Xiao Jingyue’s people have discovered something wrong and are surrounding us.”

Xiao Shun said: “They’re just a rabble. I’ll take people to drive them away immediately.”

Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help asking: “How many of our people are still in Zhaoning Hall?”

Xiao Shun smiled in reply: “Only twenty-six people. But please rest assured, Young Madam—these twenty-six are from the Yanyun Eighteen Guards. Each one can fight a hundred enemies alone.”

Ren Yaoqi was startled: “The Yanyun Eighteen Guards?”

She had heard of the Yanyun Eighteen Guards, though she had always thought they only existed in the mouths of storytellers in teahouses. Legend had it that the Yanyun Eighteen Guards were Yanbei Prince’s residence’s most mysterious guard unit. They had existed since the first Yanbei Prince’s time, coming and going without a trace, each skilled in eighteen martial arts with the strength to fight ten enemies alone.

After bowing, Xiao Shun withdrew.

Nanxing remained in the hall to guard Ren Yaoqi. Seeing that Ren Yaoqi looked thoughtful, she voluntarily explained: “Though rumors can’t be entirely trusted, the Yanyun Eighteen Guards are undoubtedly the world’s most formidable guards. Though they’re called the Yanyun Eighteen Guards, they’re not limited to eighteen people—there are forty in total. When the Young Master left, he took fourteen with him, leaving the remaining twenty-six to protect you, Young Madam. You can rest completely assured—with them here, no one can enter Zhaoning Hall.”

Ren Yaoqi was stunned. Xiao Jingxi had left most of the capable guards to protect her, so on his side…

Nanxing wasn’t one for much talk. Seeing that Ren Yaoqi had fallen silent, she too stood to one side without speaking.

Fighting sounds seemed to come from outside, but at this moment Ren Yaoqi wasn’t concerned. She trusted that the people Xiao Jingxi had left behind were sufficient to ensure her and her child’s safety.

After about a quarter-hour, Xiao Shun returned and reported with lowered head: “Young Madam, Xiao Jingyue’s people have been driven back. We’re waiting here for Commander Mu’s people to arrive.”

Ren Yaoqi nodded without saying anything.

Before long, someone outside Zhaoning Hall called out that Xiao Heng had come and had matters to discuss with Ren Yaoqi.

Ren Yaoqi sat without moving.

Imperial Concubine Yun frowned: “What does this beast want to do now?”

Ren Yaoqi glanced at Xiao Jingyue, who lay bloodied and unconscious on the ground, and smiled: “Whatever he wants to do, we’ll know by listening.”

Soon, Xiao Heng’s voice rang out from outside the hall.

“Nephew’s wife, Second Uncle has some words he’d like to speak with you.”

No one in the room made a sound.

Xiao Heng continued: “You are the River King’s granddaughter. Regardless of whatever grievances Second Uncle has with Yanbei Prince’s residence, Second Uncle absolutely wouldn’t dare harm a hair on your head. So you can completely stay out of this matter. Now that Xiao Jingxi is dead, if you’re willing, Second Uncle will send you back after a while, or send you to the River King—how about that?”

Still, no one responded.

“Nephew’s wife, could you let Xiao Jingyue come out so I can see him? No matter what foolish words he said or foolish things he did, I, as his father, will apologize to you on his behalf. Please don’t hold it against this fool.”

Xiao Heng waited again, but still no news came from within Zhaoning Hall, and no one responded to his words. He couldn’t help frowning, inevitably beginning to worry about his only son.

After waiting an unknown length of time, Xiao Heng finally said: “Nephew’s wife, you might not want to hear Second Uncle’s words, but you’ll surely be willing to listen to the Old Princess Consort’s words, won’t you?”

Everyone in the room was stunned by these words.

Then they heard a shrill voice ring out from outside: “Xiao Heng, what do you want to do! Why did you bring me here?” It was indeed the Old Princess Consort’s voice.

Xiao Heng seemed to speak quietly with the Old Princess Consort, but she was completely unappreciative and angrily scolded: “You had people surround my Shou’an Hall earlier, and now you’ve brought me here against my will—what are you trying to do?”

Xiao Heng laughed at this: “Mother, Yue’er is still in Zhaoning Hall. Could you ask your nephew’s wife to release him?”

“Xiao Jingyue is in Zhaoning Hall—why did you bring me here?” the Old Princess Consort said indignantly.

But Xiao Heng ignored her, only calling loudly toward Zhaoyang Hall: “Nephew’s wife, everyone says you’re filial. Surely you wouldn’t want to see anything happen to the Old Princess Consort? You release Yue’er, and I’ll let the Old Princess Consort go in to rest—how about that?”

Only then did the Old Princess Consort understand that Xiao Heng wanted to exchange her for Xiao Jingyue. She couldn’t help being furious: “You beast…”

Unfortunately, her words were cut short because a guard behind Xiao Heng stepped forward and pressed a blade to her throat.

Without even looking at the Old Princess Consort, Xiao Heng only said: “Nephew’s wife, if you disregard the Old Princess Consort’s life and death, that wouldn’t be proper, would it? As long as you send Yue’er back, I won’t pursue today’s matter—how about that?”

Ren Yaoqi was amused by his shamelessness, but still didn’t speak, only listening to him perform his one-man show outside.

Imperial Concubine Yun suddenly said, “Let me handle this. Don’t make a sound here.”

Ren Yaoqi looked at Imperial Concubine Yun, who smiled: “He’s using the Old Princess Consort to threaten you. If you stand by and watch someone die, you’ll inevitably be criticized later. But there’s one person in this world who, if she stood by and watched her die, outsiders would think it perfectly reasonable—and that person is me. Ridiculous! Everyone knows that the woman surnamed Li and I are irreconcilable enemies. Only a blind person would think I’d want to save her.”

Saying this, Imperial Concubine Yun patted Ren Yaoqi’s hand, then called out loudly toward the outside: “That scoundrel Xiao Jingyue just dared to attack me, his elder. I’ve already had him tied up, and I’ll deal with him later. As for the person you brought, you’d better take her back—I don’t want to see her.”

Xiao Heng was stunned, then said: “Imperial Concubine? What about nephew’s wife…”

Imperial Concubine Yun said coldly, “You dare mention her! She’s already been frightened unconscious by your actions! If anything happens to her, I won’t spare you!”

The supposedly unconscious Ren Yaoqi: “…”